Massage and exercise device



March 16, 1965 s. RUBIN 3,173,415

MASSAGE AND EXERCISE DEVICE Filed Feb. 11, 1965 I NVENTOR.

United States Patent a f 3,173,415 MASSAGE AND EXERCISE DEVICE Samuel Rubin, 18 Amherst Road, Pleasant Ridge, Mich. Filed Feb. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 257,382 3 Claims. ((11. 128-33) This invention relates to apparatus for vibratively massaging and exercising the human body. More specifically, the subject matter of this invention is a device which can be used in one position for exercising and in another position for vibrative massaging, the construction being such that in both positions the users head will be below his feet.

It is well known that it is healthful, particularly during exercising, to assume for short periods a position in which the head is below the feet so as to increase blood circulation to the region of the head, neck, and shoulders. It is also well known that healthful increased blood circulation through the head and scalp can be induced by applying vibration to the scalp. This invention has as its principal object the provision of a device which can be used to attain both of these beneficia'l effects. Another object of the invention is the provision of a device which can be used in either of two positions, in one positon for arm, trunk, and leg exercise while the user is in a head down attitude, and in the other posiiton for scalp vibration, also while the user is in a head down attitude. Briefly, these objects are accomplished in accordance with the invention by an apparatus which comprises an elongate platform having extending from one side adjacent the end thereof a vibratory headrest and a shoulder rest which extends outwardly of the headrest such that a person can assume a headstand position with shoulders on the shoulder rest and with head on the headrest to thereby vibrate and massage the scalp while in such position. Further in accordance with the invention, the platform has secured to the end thereof on the reverse side from the vibratory headrest a pair of spring mounted handgrips. When the platform is positioned with this handgrip side up, the shoulder rest on the reverse side serves as a ground or floor engaging support for one end of the platform and the platform therefore assumes an angular position. Hence, a person can lie on the platform with feet up and head down and while in such head down position, exercise the legs, arms, and trunk either with or without the use of the spring mounted liandgrips. These and other objects and features of the invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof made with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing its utility in one position;

FIGURE 2 is a side View with parts broken away of the device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bot-tom view of the device shown in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the device shown in FIGURE 1 but in an inverted position.

Referring now to the drawings, the device shown includes a support which comprises an elongate, rectangular platform 2 made, for example, of plywood and supported on the ground or floor by a plurality of feet 4 suitably secured to its bottom surface. Resiliently mounted on the top surface at one end of the platform is a vibrator 6, the resilient mount comprising a small rectangular board 8 to which the vibrator is secured, and four coil springs 10, one at each corner of the board, biased between the board and a similar board 11 secured to the surface of the platform. Each coil spring 3,173,415 Patented Mar. 16, 1965 surrounds an upstanding guide rod 12 which is secured to the platform board 11 and extends through an opening in the spring supported board 8. A head portion 14 at the top of each rod limits the upward movement of the board 8 under the bias of the coil springs. A headrest member 16, preferably amcuately contoured to comfortably receive the upper part of the human head, is secured by a stud 18 to the vibrator for vibration thereby. An open ended bowl-shaped sheet metal member 20 secured to the board 8 merely serves as a protective housing for the vibrator. As will be obvious from the above, when downward pressure is applied to the vibratory headrest, it is caused to move toward the platform against the pressure of the coil springs, the guide rods assuring against lateral movement.

Also securedto the same end of the platform is a shoulder rest member 22 formed of metal tubing bent to provide a horizontal portion 24 which is bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to the platform, a pair of upstanding legs 26 .and 28, and a U-shaped portion that forms a head opening 36 aligned the headrest. Padding 32 is fixed to the U-shaped portion so that it can comfortably receive the shoulders. The platform is additionally provided with a pair of handholds 34 and 36, one on each side thereof, so that the person using the device can maintain a stable headstand position as shown in FIGURE 1. 7

Any of the well known types of electrical or electromechanical type vibrators can be used, for example a small electric motor which drives an eccentric, or a vibrating electromagnetically driven reed type vibrator. To actuate the vibrator when the headrest-vibrator assembly is pressed downwardly toward the platform, an electric switch 38 (see FIGURE 4) is secured to the head of one of the guide rods by a stud 40. The switch has a push button 42 which contacts the board 8 and is depressed to an off position thereby when the board is in its upper position, the push button being spring biased to an on position when the board 8 is depressed out of contact therewith. If desired, the switch for the vibrator can be positioned for actuation other than by the downward movement of the headrest, though the embodiment shown is preferred for convenience. For example, the switch can, if desired, be built into or positioned adjacent one of the handholds.

In operation a person using the device assumes a head stand position as shown in FIGURE 1 with shoulders resting on the shoulder rest and with head in the headrest and employing the handholds, if necessary, to maintain stability. When in such position, the vibrato-r and its support board 8 are depressed such that the switch 38 actuates the vibrator, as described above, and hence the headrest 16 applies a gentle, massaging vibration to the scalp. By reason of the resiliently biased vertical adjustment of the headrest-vibrator assembly, the apparatus accommodate itself to the particular neck length of the user. Also, the resilient springs serve to isolate the vibration from the platform and hence inhibit the vibration damping effect the platform might otherwise have.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that when the device is invented, the shoulder rest 22 becomes a ground or floor engaging support for one end of the platform 2 and hence causes the platform to assume an angular position. At the top end of the now inverted platform, there are provided a pair of coil springs 42 and 44-, each having one end secured to the platform, and a handgrip 46 at the free end thereof. Also, a foot rest 48 and an ankle strap 50 with suitable buckle are ecured transversely across the upper part of the platform. Hence, a person can lie on the platform in a head down, feet up position with feet against foot rest 48 and with strap 58 across the ankles, and from this position do sit-ups and/or arm and trunk exercises by the use of the spring mounted handgrips 46. A layer of cloth or rubber material 52 tacked to the edges of the platform covers the lower surface of the platform in this position and serves as comfortable padding.

Hence, the apparatus provides an excellent means for healthful body exercise as well as vibratory massage, and in a body position which is excellent for improving blood circulation in the region of the head and shoulders.

It will be understood that while the invention has been described specifically with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, various changes and modifications may be made all within the full and intended scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for vibratively massaging the scalp cornprising a support for positioning on a horizontal surface such as the ground, a vibrator with a headrest secured for vibration thereby, spring means mounting said vibrator on said support, said spring means allowing the vibrator and headrest to be moved toward the support against the bias of the spring means, a shoulder rest secured to said support and extending above said headrest, said shoulder rest having a generally Ll-shaped portion forming a head opening aligned with said headrest such that a person can assume a headstand position with shoulders on said shoulder rest and with head on said headrest.

2. Apparatus for vibratively massaging the scalp comprising a support for positioning on a horizontal surface such as the ground, a headrest positioned above said support, a vibrator connected to said headrest, a plurality of coil springs each with a guide rod extending therethrough mounting said headrest to said support such that said headrest and vibrator can be moved vertically downwardly toward the support against the bias of said coil springs, a shoulder rest secured to said support and extending above said headrest with a generally U-shaiped head opening vertically aligned with the headrest such that a person can assume a headstand position with shoulders on said shoulder rest and with head on said headrest, a pair of handholds on said support for gripping by the hands to stabilize such headstand position and a switch for actuating the vibrator to cause vibration of the scalp through said headrest, said switch being positioned below said headrest for actuation by the downward movement of said headrest against the bias of said springs.

3. Apparatus for vibratively massaging and for exercising the human body comprising an elongate platform, a vibrator resiliently mounted on one side of said platform adjacent one end thereof, a headrest secured to said vibrator for vibration thereby, a shoulder rest secured to said platform adjacent said one end thereof and extending outwardly of said headrest such that when said platform is positioned horizontally with the shoulder rest extending upwardly therefrom, a person can assume a headstand position with shoulders on said shoulder rest and with head on said headrest while said vibrator causes vibration of the head through said headrest, said shoulder rest being formed to support said platform in a position at an angle to the horizontal when the platform is inverted such that the shoulder rest extends downwardly therefrom, the inverted platform thereby being suited for exercising in a head down, feet up position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,784,082 12/30 Webb 128-33 2,204,035 6/40 Decker 128-41 2,707,465 3/55 Nerneth 128-33 X 2,843,113 7/58 Miller 128-33 2,902,993 9/59 Wagner 128-33 2,919,918 1/60 Horn 272- RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR VIBRATIVELY MASSAGING THE SCALP COMPRISING A SUPPORT FOR POSITIONING ON A HORIZONTAL SURFACE SUCH AS THE GROUND, A VIBRATOR WITH A HARDREST SECURED FOR VIBRATION THEREBY, SPRING MEANS MOUNTING SAID VIBRATOR ON SAID SUPPORT, SAID SPRING MEANS ALLOWING THE VIBRATOR AND HEADREST TO BE MOVED TOWARD THE SUPPORT AGAINST THE BIAS OF THE SPRING MEANS, A SHOULDER REST SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT AND EXTENDING ABOVE SAID HEADREST, SAID SHOULDER REST HAVING A GENERALLY U-SHAPED PORTION FORMING A HEAD OPENING ALIGNED WITH SAID HEADREST SUCH THAT A PERSON CAN ASSUME A HEADSTAND POSITION WITH SHOULDERS ON SAID SHOULDER REST AND WITH HEAD ON SAID HADREST. 